April 16, 2025
Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about Unified Sanitation Districts, sexual violence, our “Guide to Cycling in Fairfax County,” energy carbon neutrality, a vacuum leaf survey, composting and our Environmental Quality Advisory Council. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Fairfax County is considering a new waste collection system through Unified Sanitation Districts, or USD. Under USD, the county would manage waste hauling contracts directly with collectors, making the process easier for residents in single-family homes. All residential waste collection would be done by private collectors and managed by the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. The Board of Supervisors will vote on moving forward with the USD process following a public hearing in June. More information on the public hearing will be provided later this spring. If the Board votes to move forward, Virginia law requires the county to provide five-year notice to private collection companies. Public Works will provide more details on implementing USD via different platforms and will offer multiple opportunities for public review and input. If you would like to learn more, search "Unified Sanitation Districts" on fairfaxcounty.gov.
Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights, and social justice issue that impacts every person in Fairfax County. The purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise public awareness about sexual violence, educate our community on how to prevent it and share resources available to those impacted by sexual assault. Everyone is affected by sexual assault. This is borne out by the statistics: Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be the victim of sexual violence at some point in their lifetime. In many cases, sexual violence is a result of a culture that does not properly educate people on how to prevent crimes like this from happening. This makes it especially crucial to begin talking about consent and healthy relationships when our children are young, and to continue having these discussions throughout the course of our lives. These conversations are necessary if we are to create a culture where we can talk about consent, boundaries and healthy sexuality. The duty of ending sexual violence is a community one, which is why it is important to raise awareness and give community members the necessary tools to have these conversations with their families and with each other. Learn more about sexual violence. Search "Sexual Violence” on fairfaxcounty.gov.
Cycling is a fun, sustainable and healthy way to explore, enjoy and commute in Fairfax County. In the last 20 years, there’s been a significant increase in bicycling on county trails, sidewalks and roads. As a result, we’ve expanded our multi-use trails and bike lanes. Be ready for your next ride with safety tips, our bike map, bike parking information and more in our “Guide to Cycling in Fairfax County” on NewsCenter. You’ll find it online at fairfaxcounty.gov/news/guide-to-cycling.
The construction of net zero-energy buildings is a critical component of Fairfax County’s plan to achieve energy carbon neutrality in its operations by 2040. Watch the latest Operational Energy Strategy in Action video to see how the county's commitment to green building design is helping to save money, reduce carbon emissions, and promote a healthier environment. Just go to Fairfax County's YouTube channel, youtube.com/@fairfaxcounty, and search "Building a Greener Future."
The Vacuum Leaf Collection Customer Service Survey is now available online. The main goal of the vacuum leaf collection program is to provide the most convenient and efficient service at a reasonable cost. We appreciate your feedback so we can consider ways to improve our service. Learn more and take the survey at engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/2024vacuumleafseason.
As the weather warms and nature comes back to life, spring is the perfect time to start composting. Whether you're a backyard gardener or just looking for a way to reduce waste, composting is an easy and effective way to turn food scraps and yard waste into nutrient rich soil. The county's July 2024 Waste Characterization Study found that almost 35% of residential waste is food and yard waste. Composting not only keeps organic material out of the waste stream but also helps improve soil quality and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. You don't need a big backyard to compost! Here are a few ways to get started:
- Backyard Composting: Buy a compost bin or make one yourself. Either way You'll have a great, free-soil amendment for your garden and flowers.
Compost Drop Off: Drop off your food waste with the County's Solid Waste Management Program facilities: I-95 Landfill Complex, and I-66 Transfer Station. Also, the Park Authority's 10 farmer markets also collect food scraps.
There are also companies operating in the county that will pick up your food waste for a fee. For a list of the companies that are registered to collect food waste, visit the Permitted Solid Waste Collection Companies webpage on fairfaxcounty.gov. If you want to commit to reducing food waste, we're offering a limited number of free compost bins! To request one, email Trashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov with the subject line, "Outreach: Free Compost Bins".
The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council, or EQAC, is seeking a student member to join the council for the July 2025 through June 2026 term. Interested high school sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply by May 5. The student member application is open to all interested sophomores and juniors living in Fairfax County, excluding cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, who are in good standing. Eligible public school, private school, parochial, and homeschooled students are encouraged to apply. All applications must be received by Monday, May 5. To apply, visit FairfaxCounty.gov and search "Environmental Quality Advisory Council."
Finally, subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.
That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government.
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